Pan People Project

The Pan People Project is an evolving project, based in the travels, research and musical experiences of Peter Keelan.

Background

As a nineteen year old from Broken Hill, N.S.W Australia, Peter Keelan was selected as a YMCA youth representative to travel to Chile and Argentina . It was at a concert in Santiago that his passion for the pan flute began. It also made him aware of the vitality and richness of other cultures.

Evolution

Since that time, Peter has expanded his research into the pan pipe in its traditional form, with several journeys through South America, studying in Rumania for six months with pan pipe (nai) virtuoso Cornel Pana and visits to the Solomon Islands, Zimbabwe and Malawi.

During these years, Peter has continued to explore the contemporary possibilites for this instrument, including cross cultural / artform collaborations in theatre, contemporary dance, circus, street theatre and community arts.

In 2000 Peter was awarded a two-year Australia Council for the Arts Fellowship to visit countries with traditions in pan flute (Bolivia, Solomon Islands, Romania, Zimbabwe/Malawi), collaborating with local traditional and contemporary artists to:

write new/collaborative/cross cultural pan flute based music
record and release these pieces on the Life Is Life CD
perform these pieces, together with traditional music for local audiences
Set up links with these musicians in view to them visiting and performing in Australia and to allow for greater exposure of their music and culture to the world

	Cascacuy			AC-PVC
	Chilli Con Cussion			Whak
	Los Chasquis			Tok Pan Tok
	Community Arts			Projects

The idea for the Pan People Project developed during a visit to the Solomon Islands in 1991. It was a time of heightened creativity for Peter, inspired by life on a remote and deserted island in the spectacularly beautiful Maroro Lagoon. With a wealth of experiences, documentation, contacts and knowledge based in the pan pipe traditions of the world, Peter is now heading a team of arts professionals to bring the next phase of the Pan People Project to fruition.